1. Two Men, One Birthday

Thomas Jefferson.Portrait by Rembrandt Peale.

Two hundred years ago during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency, on the very same day two boys were born. The births were separated by an ocean. One was born into a prosperous family and educated for the clergy. The other was born in poverty and taught himself from borrowed books.

One became the leader of a powerful nation. The other popularized a way of thinking which captured the minds of generations worldwide.

Both men lost a young child and were tormented by religious doubts. The clergy-educated man eventually rejected his spiritual roots and died without God. The other developed strong convictions about God’s sovereignty.

One was a scientist, the other a lawyer. They achieved prominence simultaneously. In 1859 one published the book that made him famous at 50. The other ascended to lead his nation the following year.

Both men instigated wars that changed the world—one a war of ideas, the other a war of bullets.

America once celebrated one’s birthday on February 12, but no longer does. Supporters of the other now clamor for his birthday to be honored globally. Lately 1,000 public birthday celebrations have been scheduled worldwide.